Kwara State to Emerge as Africa's Innovation Hub, Says Commissioner

Date: 2024-12-07

The Commissioner for Business, Innovation, and Tourism in Kwara State, Damilola Adelodun, has expressed confidence in the state's potential to emerge as a global hub for high technology and innovation, akin to Silicon Valley in California, USA.

Adelodun highlighted the state's strategic investments in tech infrastructure and innovation hubs, which he believes will attract world-class companies and position Kwara as a leader in the tech ecosystem.

Silicon Valley, renowned as the headquarters for tech giants such as Apple Inc., HP Inc., eBay, and Netflix, serves as an inspiration for Kwara's vision to transform its economy through technological innovation and entrepreneurship.

Speaking about the activities of her ministry, Adelodun said, “In terms of legacy, one of the key projects I have been lucky to head is the Ilorin Innovation Hub. It is more of a large ICT centre, which is arguably the biggest in West Africa. We also have a partnership with IHS Towers, and there is a fund of about N1bn earmarked for the running and for the programmes, training, as well as start-ups and venture capitals that would come here. We have a mandate to at least bring up two unicorns before the end of 2025.”

Reacting to critics who are of the opinion that the state is not a technology hub and should focus on other pressing issues, the young and beautiful government official said, “Interestingly enough, Kwara State has a big tech community. There are a lot of tech businesses started by Kwarans, including Kuda Bank. So, in terms of a tech hub, Kwara is it, and we want it to be the next Silicon Valley. If you think tech, we want you to think Kwara; not Lagos or Abuja. That is the vision for Ilorin Innovation Hub.”

Shedding more light on why the state recently hosted the Best of Nollywood Awards, the commissioner said, “The Sugar Film Factory, where the event was held, is under the purview of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Technology. People often forget that entertainment and culture have a business element to them. That was why we refurbished the rundown facility, which used to be a sugar factor. The studio is currently equipped for news, podcast and movie productions. We also have a training institute for youths, actors and filmmakers.

“In sponsoring and hosting BON, we looked at the benefit it could bring to the state, especially in terms of showcasing Kwara. I think it was very successful and we are looking forward to have more in the state.

“Many of the actors, filmmakers and creatives who attended the event loved what they saw, and many of them already have plans to do things in the state.”

 

Cloud Tag: What's trending

Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.

Rafiu Ajakaye     Sarkin Malamai     Bello Taoheed Abubakar     Taibat Ayinke Ahmed     Timothy Olatunde Fadipe     Bayo Ajia     NYSC     Bukola Ajikobi     Sulyman Tejidini     Special Agro-industrial Processing Zone     Savannah Centre For Diplomacy, Democracy And Development     Suleiman Abubakar     John Olobayo     Olabode Towoju     Abiodun Oyedepo     Tafida Of Ilorin     Elewu     Shehu Raheem Adaramaja     Suleiman Yahya Alapansapa     University Road     Bola Shagaya     National Information Technology Development Agency     Fatai Garuba Labaka     Ilorin International Airport     Ilorin Descendants Progressive Union     Kwara Primary Health Care Development Agency     Yusuf Amuda Aluko     Www.Kwarareports.com     Ayinde Oyepitan     Elese Of Igbaja     Abdulrazaq Aiyelabegan     Muritala Awodun     Kwara     Sheikh Alimi     Babajide Ajayi     Mutawalle     Gani Saadu     Muyideen Ajani Bello     Kwara North     Dorcas Afeniforo     Afonja     Iyabo Dupe Adekeye     Agor Market     Ilorin Central Mosque     ER-KANG     Esuwoye     Bilikisu Gambari     Students Union Government     Tafida Of Kaiama     Orisun Igbomina     Muhammed Taofeeq Abdulrazaq     Akom Construction And Engineering Synergy Ltd     Nnazua     Arinola Lawal     Minimum Wage     Yahaya Oloriegbe     Sola Saraki University     Raji AbdulRasaq     Saka Saadu     Sarakite     Saad Belgore     Saka Balikis Kehinde     Abdulrasaq Alaro     Damilola Yusuf     Ajibike Katibi     Chikanda     Ilorin Talaka Parapo     Sunday Fagbemi     Yusuf Lawal     Kunle Okeowo     CELF     Olam Food Ingredients     Aisha Abodunrin Ibrahim     Oba David Oyerinola Adedunmoye     Joseph Alex Offorjama     Adanla-Irese     Mary Arinde    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.

Omotoso Musa     Oke Sunna     Makama     Issa Baba     Bola Magaji     Halidu Danbaba     Afolasade Opeyemi Kemi     Tsaragi     Ilorin Durbar     Muhammed Akanbi     Aisha Ahman Pategi     Iqra Books     Yahaya Jibril Usman     Ilorin Curfew     Funmilayo Mohammed     Lanre Jimoh     Hijaab     Amoyo     Kannike     Tunji Moronfoye     Bankole Omisore     JSSCE     Alikinla     Samuel Elizabeth Keatswa     ASKOMP     KwaraLearn     Alagbado     Bola Sagaya     Amuda Musbau     KWAFFA     Abdulhakeem Adelaja Amao     Olatunde Jare     Ganiyu Abolarin     Kwara Volleyball Association     CCEPE     Muhammed Mahe Abdulkadir     Adeniyi Ojo     Malete     Quranic Recitation Competition     Isa Aremu     Mumini Ishola Hanafi     Olomu     Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq     Olukotun Of Ikotun     College Of Education     Yoruba     Gbenga Adebayo     Adamu Jemilat-Baki     Oni Adebayo     Mohammed Lawal     Alabere     Saad Belgore     Taofik Abiodun Ahmed     Babaloja-General     Lithium     SGBN     Hydro-electric Power Producing Areas Development Commission     Justina Oha     Hauwa Nuru     Suleiman Idris     Kolawole Bashirat     Vasolar Consortium     Bamikole Omishore     ASMAU PLAZA     Yusuf Lanre Badmas     Tunji Folami     Fatimoh Lawal     Ubandoma     Universal Basic Education Commission     Abdulwasiu Bolaji Adeyi     National Party Of Nigeria     Baba Idris     IYA YUSUF     Abdulrahman Abdulrazak     Habeeb Abdullahi Al-Ilory     Jaiz Bank     Agboola Abdulraheem